By Steve Cramer, Horticulture Agent, Colorado State
University Cooperative Extension

It's safe to say that the site you choose for your vegetable garden will greatly
determine its success.

The amount of sunshine a garden plot gets throughout the day, the soil type and other
factors play major roles in a garden's productivity.

Fruiting vegetables, such as tomatoes, squash and peppers, require a full day of
sunlight. Root vegetables, such as carrots and beets, can get by with a half day of sun.
Leafy vegetables, such as lettuce, tolerate the most shade.

To determine the amount of sun available for growing a vegetable garden, stake the
edges of shadows once in the morning and once in late afternoon. This will reveal areas
that receive full sun six hours or longer each day, which a garden needs if it is to be
productive.

Soil content

Also consider the soil content of a garden site. If the soil is shallow or very heavy,
root systems may not develop well. Avoid planting near tree roots because vegetables can't
compete with root systems of established trees and shrubs. Make sure that the soil drains
well. Standing water after storms will stunt the growth of vegetables, and storm runoff
may need to be diverted from the garden.

Air movement

While good air movement around a garden is important, avoid planting a garden in breezy
areas where wind can dry out or break plants. Planting near a windbreak, fence or shrubs
can protect vegetable gardens. Choose a spot close to a water supply for convenience.
Plant a vegetable garden where it's convenient for you to visit frequently to monitor
pests.

People sometimes plant vegetables among flowers and other plants, rather than in an
area devoted exclusively to vegetables. That's because vegetable plants also can be
attractive.

Raised beds versus rows

To choose the best method of setting up a home garden, consider the type of soil in the
garden plot. Native top soils in the west can range from those that are light and sandy to
heavier clays, or even to adobe types of soil that dry like concrete. These soils commonly
are found in new housing developments where, often, all the topsoil has been removed,
leaving only the clay subsoil.

If the soil falls somewhere between a loose, sandy soil and a rich, deep loam soil,
planting a garden in rows can be simple, inexpensive and quick. Water row gardens by flood
irrigation in furrows or use sprinklers, drip irrigation or soaker hoses.

To improve any soil for planting, mix three to four inches of organic material into the
soil to a depth of one-and-one-half feet. This process can quickly improve drainage,
encourage plant roots to grow deeper and improve soil aeration. Organic material will hold
moisture and, as it is broken down in the soil, it also will release nitrogen, which helps
beneficial organisms that live in the soil.

For heavy, clay soils, or for soils with poor drainage, raised beds are the answer.
Raised beds save space, drain faster, heat up earlier in the spring and save water by
keeping it where the plants are growing. Also, because gardeners walk around rather than
on the raised beds, the soils are remain loose.

Raised beds offer other advantages. They are more comfortable to work on than row
plantings and they can be designed to be wheelchair accessible. Raised beds can offer a
solution to gardeners with small yards and limited spaces.